Chapter Thirty-One: Maomao

Sheng Yao held a small cardboard box in his arms and pressed the doorbell.

After a round of musical chimes, a voice finally came through the intercom.

"Hello?" The young woman's voice carried a hint of confusion.

Smiling, Sheng Yao said, "Hello, is this Miss Mao Mao? Your package has arrived."

"Hmm? Ah, oh..." The woman sounded surprised at first. Then her tone softened with amusement as she pressed the button to unlock the door. "The door's open."

The heavy iron security door clicked briskly. Sheng Yao pulled it open, walked straight into the building, and took the elevator up to the tenth floor.

Once he stepped out, he glanced around and spotted a half-open apartment door.

"Hello, is Miss Mao Mao here?" Sheng Yao called politely from the doorway.

Only at that moment did he feel a flicker of nerves. He was about to meet his fellow "patient"—perhaps he could glean some truth about the Monster Clinic and its enigmatic doctor from this encounter.

"Coming, coming!" The same young voice he'd heard moments ago answered from within. Footsteps pattered quickly, and then the door was fully opened.

Sheng Yao hesitated for a moment when he saw her. The woman before him was young and attractive, but she looked to be nearly thirty, not barely twenty as he'd expected. The file from the Monster Clinic had listed Mao Mao's birthdate—she should be just on the cusp of adulthood. Was her mature appearance due to illness?

"Are you Miss Mao Mao?" Sheng Yao confirmed.

The woman's outstretched hand paused in midair, surprise flickering across her face before she laughed. "I'm not. Do you need her to sign for it herself?"

A sense of foreboding crept over Sheng Yao. "Yes, it needs to be signed for in person..."

The woman turned her head and called into the apartment, "Mao Mao!"

Sheng Yao clutched the small box and waited at the door. He could faintly hear the ticking of a second hand winding circles somewhere inside the house. Each tick seemed to stretch on forever.

He was about to meet the doctor's sixth patient. No, that wasn't right—the stray dog called "Guai Guai" probably didn't count...

A flash of insight crossed Sheng Yao's mind.

From behind a wall in the living room, a small figure strode forth on silent, feline paws. It bore the familiar black and gray stripes of a tabby, its body slender and its face round. Its four little paws were as snowy white as the poetic image of a steed treading on clouds, except where the horse would seem majestic, these white paws made the cat irresistibly cute. Its long, bushy tail stood upright behind it, swaying gracefully with each step like the elegant hem of an actress's gown on the red carpet.

The large cat walked to the entryway, sat obediently on the floor, tucked its tail neatly around its feet, lifted its chest, and gazed up at Sheng Yao.

Sheng Yao met the cat's green, almond-shaped eyes and forgot, for a moment, to breathe.

The feline's pupils contracted, then dilated. It tilted its head toward the woman and let out a soft "meow," eyes wide and questioning, as if to ask why it had been summoned.

The woman grinned, teasing Sheng Yao, "Do you want it to sign for the package?"

Sheng Yao shook his head, still in a daze, and silently handed the box over.

"Thank you," the woman said, reaching to take it.

Sheng Yao stared at the large cat for a moment longer before drifting away, lost in thought.

...

Lu Meimei closed the door and walked toward the living room, speaking as she went, "Let me see who bought something for you."

The cat named Mao Mao had already slipped into the living room, nimbly leaped onto the sofa, dashed across the backrest, and, with a final burst of strength, jumped like a sleek leopard. Its form was both graceful and powerful.

A hammock hung from the sunlit balcony window.

With a single leap, Mao Mao landed squarely on the hammock.

Surprisingly, it didn't sway at all under the cat's weight, as if the large feline were as light as air.

Mao Mao settled into the hammock and gazed downward through the glass.

Lu Meimei fetched some scissors, settled on the sofa, and began to open the package, talking all the while to Mao Mao. "Did your Auntie Ai buy you a new toy again? Or was it the vet this time..."

Snip—

The tape split open, and as Lu Meimei lifted the lid, her words trailed off.

She pulled a blanket from the box, puzzled.

Beneath the transparent packaging was a soft, powder-blue blanket patterned with flowers and leaves. It looked quite elegant, but...

Lu Meimei closed the box and checked the shipping label.

"Who sent this? Is it a blanket for you?" She shook it out and was startled by its size—it was as large as a bedsheet. "So big! Is this a bedsheet?"

Would a cat really need such a big blanket?

Was it a mistake?

Lu Meimei set the blanket aside and picked up her phone, turning to Mao Mao. "I'll ask Auntie Ai if she ordered the wrong thing."

Mao Mao flicked its tail in response, its emerald eyes still fixed on the view below.

Below, a figure appeared at the apartment building's entrance.

Sheng Yao hopped onto his electric scooter with the delivery basket and rode unhurriedly away.

Mao Mao's eyes narrowed to slits.

The scooter had barely gone five meters before stopping. Sheng Yao turned his head, his gaze slowly traveling upward.

Mao Mao suddenly spun around and darted to Lu Meimei's side.

Lu Meimei, unaware of its agitation, stroked the soft fur that suddenly pressed against her.

Mao Mao nuzzled her palm, batted at the flower on the blue blanket with a snowy paw, and its narrowed eyes seemed to glimmer with some secret light.

The call connected.

"Did you buy something for Mao Mao?" Lu Meimei asked directly.

On the other end, Chi Ai replied with surprise, "No, why? What happened?"

"That's odd." Lu Meimei examined the blanket from all angles, then patted Mao Mao's head. "I just got a package for Mao Mao, a big blanket. If it wasn't from you, who else could it be?"

"You didn't order it yourself?"

"No."

"Was it a free gift from something you bought before?"

"Hmm… Possibly. It doesn't look expensive," Lu Meimei admitted.

"Hehe... Could it be from him?" Chi Ai's tone turned sly.

Lu Meimei blushed and, feeling the cat's ears twitch under her palm, quickly tapped Mao Mao on the head and glared at its plump little nape. "Impossible. He doesn't even know about Mao Mao yet."

"He could have found out. You always have cat hair on your clothes. Or maybe you mentioned it at one of our get-togethers."

"No way. And he doesn't know my address."

"True... So, how's the new place?"

Lu Meimei stretched out on the sofa, looked around her new home, and smiled. "It's great. Everything around here is familiar, and the apartment is nice."

"Seems a bit small."

"Why would I need something bigger? It's just me and Mao Mao. Too large and it would be a pain to clean." She pinched the scruff of Mao Mao's neck and leaned in. "Right, Mao Mao? Do you want a bigger house?"

"Meow~" Mao Mao called out, then rolled onto her lap, exposing its belly.

Lu Meimei stroked its soft stomach and couldn't help but laugh. Into the phone, she said, "See? Mao Mao doesn't care. One bedroom, one living room is perfect. The balcony's big and faces south—Mao Mao can sunbathe there. The cat tower fits perfectly. There's space for a desk. I eat alone, so I don't need a dining room. No need for a fancy kitchen either. It's just right. Didn't we basically live in a similar place before?"

Chi Ai protested, "I let you have a bedroom in my two-bedroom apartment! The living room, dining room, and kitchen were huge! This new place of yours—how big are the living room, kitchen, and bathroom? Couldn't you have bought a bigger place? And it's farther from your company, isn't it? You..."

"I like it here. I'm used to the area. And it's nice to live close to you. Plus, I only had to move one floor up from my old rental in this building—made moving so easy," Lu Meimei said contentedly.

Chi Ai was speechless.

When Lu Meimei first graduated college, she rented a room from Chi Ai, and they were roommates for five years. Two years ago, as Chi Ai prepared for marriage and a new home, she planned to let Lu Meimei rent or buy her old apartment at a low price. But Lu Meimei had instead moved out on her own, rented nearby, and later bought this new place.

"You're really not picky... Wasn't your last apartment the one where the previous tenant died unexpectedly, and that's why you were able to rent it? You were brave to take it," Chi Ai complained. "Why were you in such a hurry to move?"

"Why not? He didn't even die in the apartment. Besides, the landlord knocked a thousand off the rent," Lu Meimei laughed, still petting Mao Mao's belly.

Mao Mao curled its legs, lazily swinging its tail, big round eyes peeking open—just as round as its belly.

"I swear that building has bad luck. First, that tenant died, and now this place can't be clean either. Didn't you say someone in the landlord's family died?" Chi Ai asked, worried.

"The landlord's little granddaughter..." Lu Meimei sighed. "He never lived here himself—it was meant as a school district apartment for his granddaughter. Who could have guessed... People are so fragile. Here one day, gone the next..."

Mao Mao squirmed and licked Lu Meimei's fingers, as if to comfort her.

Lu Meimei smiled with pursed lips, her hand resting on Mao Mao's chest, feeling the warmth of its tongue and the strong heartbeat beneath the fur.

After a moment, Chi Ai asked, "How's Mao Mao doing lately? I haven't played with her in over a month."

"She's doing great. The vet gave her a check-up last week, and all her health indicators are perfect."

"That's good. Did she like that little mouse toy I sent?"

Lu Meimei laughed so hard she lay back on the sofa. "Do you think she liked it? She only played with it out of pity for you—she doesn't care for that kind of thing."

"Hmph! She has a great time when I play with her, not you," Chi Ai argued.

Lu Meimei was nearly in tears from laughter. She cuddled Mao Mao, put her phone on speaker, and said, "Mao Mao, tell Auntie Ai—do you like the little mouse toy? Hahahaha..."

"Meow—" Mao Mao replied obediently into the phone.

"See? She said she likes it!" Chi Ai exclaimed.

Lu Meimei retorted, "You didn't see the look of disdain on her face. She only humors you out of charity."

"You're just jealous that Mao Mao plays with me."

Mao Mao, caught in the middle, nuzzled Lu Meimei's neck and became her living scarf.

After the laughter subsided, Lu Meimei let out a breath.

"So, when are you going to introduce your boyfriend to Mao Mao? I wonder if they'll get along. Mao Mao is our little prince—so aloof, but he gets cuddly with me, right, Mao Mao?" Chi Ai teased.

"Meow," Mao Mao replied perfunctorily.

Lu Meimei buried her face in Mao Mao's back and mumbled, "I don't know, I haven't decided yet... I feel so nervous..."

"Like meeting the parents? Hehe. Once you introduce him to Mao Mao, you'll have to meet his family too. My husband says Da Hai's family is wonderful—his mother is a great cook, and Da Hai can cook too. You'll be spoiled," Chi Ai said.

Lu Meimei lifted her head and asked, "Are they really easy to get along with? I'm a bit worried... I..."

Mao Mao, lying with his back to her, narrowed his eyes and then closed them completely, as if dozing off.

"Don't worry. His family has great tempers, just like him. My husband has been going to their house since junior high, and his parents are always warm and welcoming. Remember when we got married last year? His parents came—you remember them?"

"Vaguely," Lu Meimei replied, recalling that when she was serving as Chi Ai's bridesmaid, all her thoughts had been for her friend and the success of the wedding, barely noticing anyone else. Even though she had met Da Hai before at group gatherings, she only remembered him as Chi Ai's husband's old classmate, never paying attention to his parents.

Who would have guessed she would end up dating Da Hai?

Or, rather, who would have thought she would ever fall in love?

She'd always thought it would be just her and Mao Mao, always.

Lu Meimei stroked Mao Mao's head and smiled sweetly. "I hope Mao Mao likes him."

"What if Mao Mao doesn't?" Chi Ai joked.

"Then I'll dump him," Lu Meimei declared decisively, then laughed and grabbed Mao Mao's long tail.

"Mao Mao will like him, but he can't compare to me. Mao Mao, right? Just be polite when he comes over and treat him well," Chi Ai told the cat.

Mao Mao barely cracked open an eye before shutting it again, offering no reply.

...

Sheng Yao finished his deliveries and, sweating, carried the items Bai Xiao had asked him to buy back to the Monster Clinic.

He went first to the sickroom, but Bai Xiao wasn't there.

He tried the kitchen next.

There, Bai Xiao stood at the counter, carefully peeling mangoes, dicing them, and dividing them into two bowls.

"Sheng Sheng, I got everything you asked for," Sheng Yao announced, setting the plastic bags on the counter and wrapping his arms around Bai Xiao's waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Why are you so sweaty? Is it hot outside?" Bai Xiao asked, popping a piece of mango into his mouth. "Thank you for running errands."

"Running errands is nothing," Sheng Yao said, not mentioning that he'd changed jobs again. He let go and began sorting the groceries on the counter.

Bai Xiao stopped him. "Let me handle it. You take some mango to the doctor."

Sheng Yao looked at the fruit bowl in his hand and smiled wryly.

"Don't act like a child. You're practically sixty now, aren't you?" Bai Xiao teased with a sideways glance. "Be nice to the others, okay?"

"Alright, I know," Sheng Yao sighed. "You don't have to do this every day. I know what I need to do now. Liu Yu—the last patient—is doing well now."

"That's good. Go on, then." Bai Xiao smiled, encouraging him and turning back to her work.

Sheng Yao lingered. "You're still a patient. Don't overdo it. Some things you can just buy ready-made."

"I prefer to make things myself. Those store-bought things from factories—you never know what's in them. For someone like me, it's safer to cook at home. Besides, you said so yourself—I'm a patient, and outside food is never as healthy as homemade," Bai Xiao replied.

"Then let me cook for you. I'm pretty good now."

"Go deliver the mango," Bai Xiao pressed. "You're so busy during the day—when would you have time to cook for me?"

Sheng Yao was silent for a couple of seconds. "Just wait a while... things will get better soon."

"Mm. Once you finish settling your retirement paperwork, we'll have plenty of time," Bai Xiao said with a smile.

Sheng Yao forced a smile too, but guilt gnawed at him. "I'm sorry."

He didn't dare share his worries with Bai Xiao, afraid it would trouble her and harm her health.

Sheng Yao had a vague suspicion. Judging from Liu Yu's case, the growth of his monstrous tumor seemed linked to that night of drunkenness and emotional upheaval. Sheng Yao dared not let Bai Xiao worry along with him.

"What are you apologizing for? Afraid I'll mind that you're an old man at heart?" Bai Xiao hugged him. "I'm your wife. No matter what you become, I'll never mind."

"Mm." Sheng Yao exhaled. "I'll go bring the doctor some mango."

"Go on, go on," Bai Xiao said, smiling and waving him out. Only after watching him leave the kitchen did she finally lower her hand.

She turned back to her chores, restocking the nearly empty fridge, and only then, satisfied, did she take the other bowl of mango back to her room.